League of Ireland watch

So let's have a look at the league action this weekend and put your necks on the line with some predictions!

by AlanSmith7/27/2012 1:39:44 PM

First off, it's hard not to see anything other than a Bohs win at home to Dundalk tonight. Are we all agreed on that?

by AlanSmith7/27/2012 1:40:26 PM

We never will find a solution really. Kel I think the fact that Sligo Rovers are chasing the title means that they don't want the extra game!

by Jessica Farry7/27/2012 1:40:28 PM

I don’t think Dundalk have a third consecutive big performance in them given all that is going on there. Throw their ever-growing injury list into the mix along with Bohs’ clean bill of health and home advantage and it should be a comfortable enough home win.

by sam.griffin297/27/2012 1:41:14 PM

They have a very small squad for tonight but I'm going to say they'll get a draw...

by Jessica Farry7/27/2012 1:41:55 PM

Two Bohs wins and a draw so....

Next up is Cork City and Shels. City have won the last three meetings, the past two with dramatic late goals. It's about time Shels get a result in one of the most heated rivalries of recent times?

by AlanSmith7/27/2012 1:42:58 PM

Cork are turning Turner’s Cross into a fortress and really should have held out for a good won over champions Shamrock Rovers last week. Shels are a similar set up with a solid defence, though they will be without centre back Stephen Paisley. I’ll go for a 2-2 draw.

by sam.griffin297/27/2012 1:44:27 PM

True Jess the extra game may be a hindrance, but without an FAI cup run which has always been good gate-wise, a new stand, a gap in between games, the revenue would be very appreciated. Also, as the club wants to increase attendances, it would be a good lure to potential fans.

by kel7/27/2012 1:44:42 PM

that should have been Sligo of course!!

by sam.griffin297/27/2012 1:45:23 PM

I'd be going with Shels getting a result, although I'd say it'll be a tight game, and a great one at that too. Paisley will be missed for Shels and Cork picked up a decent draw against Sligo Rovers. But I'll go with Shels.

by Jessica Farry7/27/2012 1:45:25 PM

I'm going for a Cork win - they're unbeaten since April but have drawn too many games and need to start winning

by AlanSmith7/27/2012 1:46:07 PM

Derry v Shamrock Rovers - Kenny returning to the Brandywell, it's going to be very interesting. I'm gonna say a draw for this one.

by AlanSmith7/27/2012 1:46:43 PM

The hosts are slowly returning to full fitness but are still without Stewart Greacen, Kevin Deery and Rory Patterson. Rovers have been so inconsistent and unpredictable this year it’shard to know what they’ll do. So I’ll go for a 1-1 draw!

by sam.griffin297/27/2012 1:47:27 PM

Ya I'm going to say a draw also. Derry are a really hard team to beat and things haven't been going swimmingly down Tallaght way. I'll go with a 2-2 draw, just to be different!

by Jessica Farry7/27/2012 1:48:56 PM

And, last but not least, high-flying Drogheda look like dead certs to get a win at home to UCD. Apart from Sligo, they've been the best team I've seen this year. Very well organised and fully deserve to be in their current position.

by AlanSmith7/27/2012 1:49:40 PM

There doesn't seem to be any light in the tunnel for UCD and I fully expect Drogheda to move within one point of Sligo at the top of the table - even without the influential Brennan brothers Ryan and Gavin.

by sam.griffin297/27/2012 1:50:44 PM

Ya I can't see past a Drogheda win. UCD are the only team to beat Sligo Rovers in the league this season and they certainly don't deserve to be where they are in the league. I think a 2-0 win for Mick Cooke and his men.

by Jessica Farry7/27/2012 1:51:19 PM

Before we wrap up - will the much-changed fixture list bother Sligo?

by AlanSmith7/27/2012 1:52:06 PM

LOI teams need high profile friendlies to generate much needed revenue. They are competing for supporters with the Premiership, Scottish Premier League and even La Liga now. On top of that there's the GAA, who have the cream of the crop player wise and rugby which has some of the best players on the planet.

by Ger7/27/2012 1:52:10 PM

I don't think so Alan. They know they have been the best team in the country so far and will really fancy their chances now that they are no longer 'inconvenienced' by European matters.

by sam.griffin297/27/2012 1:54:18 PM

I don't think so. It'll bother their income from the gates but that's about it. Should they crumble, it won't be anything to do with the fixture changes!

by Jessica Farry7/27/2012 1:54:47 PM

Great stuff guys, we'll see how good our predictions are later tonight! Slán